Reader Comments and Retorts

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Is Pena likely to be better than Hanigan going forward? I find that to be a suspect proposition. I guess it depends on how much of Hanigan's off year was an off year or indication of a true decline or not. I mean they are roughly a year apart in age, and Hanigan has been the much better player.

maybe the Cardinals are involved as the third team, I would much rather have Hanigan as a backup than Cruz.

Is Pena likely to be better than Hanigan going forward? I find that to be a suspect proposition. I guess it depends on how much of Hanigan's off year was an off year or indication of a true decline or not. I mean they are roughly a year apart in age, and Hanigan has been the much better player.

I don't think there's any question Hanigan's a better player now and in the future.

2nd sentence A: And Pena isn't being paid like he'll be better - less than $2.3M over the next 2 years, or about what Hanigan is likely to get via arbitration for just this year. EDIT: (via twitter) Hanigan has signed for 3/$11.

2nd sentences B: But the Reds have committed to Mesoraco as the everyday catcher; Pena is just the back-up. Hanigan has lots of trade value because he's seen as a starter.

There has been a flurry of activity this winter regarding catchers. Its odd.

And we didn't even get a thread (that I recall) about Chris Stewart begin reunited with Russell Martin....
7. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: December 03, 2013 at 01:55 PM (#4609663)

One of my dad's really good friends coached Stewart in travel ball. The last time I saw Scott (dad's friend) I told him that I figured Chris wouldn't be catching for the Yankees next year, but 2013 guaranteed him a job for a long time.

It's not a move that creates a lot of excitement (though I agree with #41 that there's a good chance Bell will have a good season for the Rays) but Hanigan is probably going to be a solid catcher for the team. I worry that they're keeping the wrong Jose though, Molina isn't an elite defender any more and odds for an offensive resurgence at 39 are....not great. Pitch framing and staff handling is all he brings to the table these days, I hope it's enough. Not that Lobaton is anything special, he's not a strong defender either and probably won't reach a 100 OPS+ again but at least he's relatively young.